Crafty Kitchen Witch

Drink Your Tea Why drink green tea? There are so many good reason why, besides that fact that it tastes Good! Looking for ways to improve your overall health? Start drinking green tea. Green tea is a potent source of catechins – healthy antioxidants that can inhibit cancer cell activity and help boost immunity. Need more reasons to drink green tea? It can also: ~Lower cholesterol levels and risk of heart disease ~Help protect against bacterial infections ~Promote joint health and stronger bones ~Reduce inflammation ~Provide mild stimulation and mental focusing effects without the “jitters” that many people experience when drinking caffeinated coffee. ~Serve as a metabolism support and aid in maintaining or losing weight Green tea is available in a wide range of varieties There are many varieties of green tea. You can introduce yourself by substituting a cup of green tea for a cup of coffee and you will soon be enjoying the health benefits of this delicious beverage! Learn to appreciate...

I know it's spring now here but we will soon be melting and these will come in handy>>> iStockphoto/Thinkstock Beat the heat: Peppermint tea mist Brew a pot of peppermint tea, then stick it in the fridge. Once it's nice and cold, Wonderhowto.com suggests pouring some into a spray bottle and misting yourself with it. Better than water, the menthol in the tea will give your skin a tingly, cool feeling. iStockphoto/Thinkstock 2 / 11 Beat the heat: Chrysanthemum tea Whether it's hot or cold, chrysanthemum tea is served to lower body temperature, according to China Daily . It's also been said to soothe heat rash, experts told Natural Health . Beat the heat: Breathe like a yogi Next time you feel overheated, do a few minutes of yogic breathing, recommends Art of Living . Curl your tongue by pulling both sides upward toward the middle, then breathe in through your mouth. Hold your breath, and slowly exhale t...

Mmm…mmm…how I love this hot and sweet, zesty, vinegary recipe! Fire Cider is a traditional cold remedy with deep roots in folk medicine. The tasty combination of vinegar infused with powerful immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, decongestant, and spicy circulatory movers makes this recipe especially pleasant and easy to incorporate into your daily diet to help boost the immune system, stimulate digestion, and get you nice and warmed up on cold days. Because this is a folk preparation, the ingredients can change from year to year depending on when you make it and what’s growing around you. The standard base ingredients are apple cider vinegar, garlic, onion, ginger, horseradish, and hot peppers, but there are plenty of other herbs that can be thrown in for added kick. This year I had lots of spicy jalapenos and vibrant rosemary in the garden, so I used those along with some organic turmeric powder in the cupboard and fresh lemon peel. Some people like...

Today I was ready for a little detox and so I made a variation of  Lemon Ginger Detox Tea. The ingredients pack a powerful punch and act as an anti-inflammatory, anti-infective, antioxidant, lymph system cleanser and more. I make all kinds of healthy waters and teas these days , trying my best to avoid soda, I can't give up teas, or caffeine but I can put good things into my body more in some ways like this recipe. I’ve already learned about how amazing Lemon Water is on it’s own but just look at the added benefits you get when adding ginger, turmeric, and cayenne! Ginger: Ovarian Cancer Treatment: Ginger may be powerful weapon in the treatment of ovarian cancer. A study conducted at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that ginger powder induces cell death in all ovarian cancer cells to which it was applied. Colon Cancer Prevention: A study at the University of Minnesota found that ginger may slow the growth of colorectal cancer cells. Morning Sickness: ...

I am always mixing up new recipes for hair, I search all the time for great ideas to take care of my hair and I share them with you. So Pick your favorite herb and mix up a tonic for your hair this week. A healthy head of hair with a healthy, flake-free scalp is a wonderful thing. So wonderful and desired, in fact, that there is an enormous market that caters solely to it. Walk down any hair product aisle and you’ll be overwhelmed with then number of choices you have for shampoos, conditioners, rinses, sprays, and dyes (to name just a few things.) You could spend days, and lots of money, trying to figure out just what chemical concoction will work the wonders it promises. If you’d like to break up that routine, try making some of your own products at home. I have found them to be simple, pure, and more effective that many of the things I have bought in stores. 1. Nettle Hair Tonic Rich in iron, a rinse made with nettles can help combat hair loss/promote hair growth. Drinki...

Have you heard of the Master Tonic? I started reading about it a few months ago, and was amazed at how powerful it appears to be. Master Tonic is a natural remedy for any number of infections – it can cure far more than just the common cold. It’s naturally antiviral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic. I’ve often seen it referred to as a modern day plague tonic that can cure the most chronic conditions, stubborn diseases and antibiotic-resistant infections. The reason the Master Tonic is so powerful is because all of the ingredients are fresh, and are designed to stimulate blood circulation to help introduce the detoxifying ingredients into your bloodstream. find more good recipes  http://www.happy-mothering.com/04/household/recipes/natural-remedies-master-tonic-recipe/ About the Ingredients Garlic is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that destroys gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. While manmade antibiotics kill the good bacteria your body needs, garlic only k...

The most important variables to take into account in steeping excellent tea are the size of the leaf and the temperature of the water. The larger the leaf, the longer you must steep it; the smaller the leaf, the more surface it exposes to the water and the more quickly proper infusion occurs. Steeping good tea takes two to three minutes for the flaky small grades, and five to seven minutes for the twisted, larger grades. Oversteeping tea will cause bitterness. With correct steeping the tannins, or natural acids, give flavor to the tea. When tea is oversteeped, it is the tannins that cause bitterness. Fruit and herbal tisanes may steep for as long as you like without causing bitterness as they contain no tannin. Hot Tea "Bring the pot to the kettle, not the kettle to the pot," is the standard rule because, when steeping tea, water temperature is critical. Bring water to a 212o F rolling boil to infuse tea. Tea may be steeped in water as low as 192o F tho...

Blend the teas for a recipe in a plastic baggy or a glass jar, then measure out one tablespoon per cup of tea. A small two cup teapot will take two tablespoons of tea. If you are like me, however, two cups of tea equates to three because I prefer my tea with lots of milk. Because the tea base is black tea leaves, the addition of milk and a sweetener makes for a very flavorful beverage. Unless you are making tea for a crowd, you really do need more than one or two tablespoons of tea at any one time. Store in a closed jar in a cabinet away from light. TEA FOR DIVINATION: 1 tablespoon China black, English breakfast, or Irish breakfast tea 2 teaspoons lemon balm 1 teaspoon eyebright 1 tablespoon mugwort 1 tablespoon rose hips TEA FOR PSYCHIC HEALING: 1 tablespoon China black tea 1 teaspoon elder flower 1 teaspoon nettle 2 teaspoon burdock root 2 teaspoon mullein 2 teaspoon rose hip TEA FOR LOVE (SPELL): 1 tablespoon China black tea 1 teaspoon damiana 1 teaspoon ...

  Teas have so many purposes, they can heal our bodies and our minds, hearts and even our souls Do have a cup and take a few moments to relax ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The basic tea is generally a black tea such as China black or , English Breakfast or Irish breakfast is a starting point, and the herbs of your choice are added from there. Blend the teas for a recipe and store in a air tight container away for the light. Measure out one tablespoon per cup of tea. Adding Milk (never cream: it will curdle) sugar or honey makes for a very flavorful beverage. Steep the Tea for 5 minutes before serving. Divination 1 tablespoon China black Or English breakfast Or Irish breakfast tea 2 teaspoons lemon balm 1 tablespoon mugwort 1 teaspoon eyebright 1 tablespoon rose hips ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Psychic Healing 1 tablespoon China black tea 1 teaspoon elder flower 2 teaspoons burdock root 1 teaspoons mullein 1 teaspoon nettl...

To ward off common ailments, turn to your kitchen before your drugstore. Many culinary herbs offer impressive healing properties—medicine’s never tasted so good! By The Herb Companion Staff Cayenne, turmeric, caraway and other household herbs can help alleviate a wide array of health problems.   A Weapon for the War on Colds   Next time you get sick, skip the trip to the drugstore—help may be as close as your kitchen cupboard. Our grandparents often turned to herbs and spices to ward off common ailments, and these time-tested remedies have proven safe and effective. (If you have a health condition or are already using medication or other treatments, consult your practitioner before use.)   Coughs: Thyme contains two constituents (thymol and carvacrol) with expectorant (phlegm-loosening) properties, making it a great choice if you’re suffering from a cough, congestion, sore throat or bronchitis. The herb also has powerful antimicrobial pr...

Tinctures Sedative Tincture Place 1 and a half ounces of chamomile and 1 and a half teaspoons of powdered peppermint into a half quart of vodka. Allow to steep for 2 weeks, shaking daily. Strain and bottle. Use as a sedative for adults Dosage is half a dropperful under the tongue, as needed. Valerian Root Tincture Although this tincture is a great sedative, it is also use to clean sores, clod sores, poison ivy rash, and a host of other skin ailments. It is wonderful for certain tension headaches and for sinus headaches. It is truly a great relaxant. Since it is a great muscle relaxant, it would be helpful to take orally for sore muscles or when suffering from back injury. Dosage for adults would be half a dropperful every 4 hours or so for muscle spasms due to back pain. The smell is awful, so I place the liquid in #00 capsules and give the dosage that way. Skullcap is a good substitute if valerian is not available. Both have a sedative effect. Just add 4 ounces of va...

if you grow herbs and edible flowers then you have many ingredients for making tinctures, if not you can find many herb stores around you I bet or I know you can order online. Here is a simple and inexpensive way to get started. Remember, there’s lots of information out there, so talk to a specialist or do some online research before deciding what you want to use. Everyone’s body reacts differently, so make sure what you choose won’t conflict with any health issues or medications you’re taking. Healing Flowers and Herbs Chamomile: Aids digestion and calms and soothes nerves. Dandelion Leaf: Natural diuretic. Removes excess water and toxins from the body. Helps to cleanse and protect the liver after excess amounts of alcohol and unhealthy eating. (Something we can all use this time of year!) Eucalyptus Leaf: Internally used to relive cold and flu symptoms. Inhale vapors or use in bath to help with chest congestion. Externally used as an antiseptic or an antibacterial and to relieve ac...